Student ServicesBritish culture
- The UK: countries, society, religion and language
- Settling in the UK: culture shock
- Social behaviour and customs in the UK
- Greetings
- Visiting
- What do they really mean?
- Arrive on time
- In public
- Men and women
- Making friends
- British slang, mini glossary
- What is your view of British Culture? Have you observed how British people behave?
The UK: countries, society, religion and language
Countries: The United Kingdom is made up of three different countries and a province: England, Scotland, Wales and the province of Northern Ireland. These countries all have very different characters and identities.
Society: The UK is a diverse and multi-ethnic society, where students of all backgrounds are welcome and their involvement in local communities is valued. The UK has a long tradition of welcoming migrants and refugees from around the world, many of whom have settled here permanently.
Religion: All major world religions are represented - mosques, Sikh temples, synagogues and Buddhist and Hindu places of worship can be seen alongside a whole range of Christian churches, from Anglican and Roman Catholic through to Nonconformist and Orthodox.
Language: Many languages are represented as well. The most widely spoken South Asian language in the UK is Punjabi, followed by Urdu, Bengali and Gujarati. The main Chinese dialects spoken in the UK are Cantonese and Mandarin.
Settling in the UK: Culture Shock
When you first arrive in the UK you can expect to feel tired and disorientated by travel and time change.
During your first few days get plenty of rest, take some moderate exercise, and try to eat a balanced diet.
What is culture shock?
- Culture Shock often refers to the range of feelings and symptoms that can occur as a result of moving from a familiar to an unfamiliar culture.
- This is the shock of a new environment, meeting new people and learning the ways of a different country.
- It also includes the upset of being separated from the important people in your life: family, friends, colleagues, and teachers; people who would usually give you support.
Stages of culture shock
Culture shock is not quite as sudden as most people expect. It has 5 broad
stages which may vary from one person to another. The stages are:
- The “honeymoon” stage: The first few days in a new country can be a time of great excitement, when everything is new and intriguing.
- The “distress” stage: The excitement can fade and you may start to feel confused and isolated. Symptoms include a loss of appetite, sleep disturbances, lack of concentration and fatigue.
- “Re-integration” stage: Next, you may become hostile to the new culture and conscious of all that you dislike about it. Despite what you may think, this is actually quite a healthy reaction as it means you are reconnecting with what you value about yourself and your own culture.
- “Autonomy” stage: From here, you will begin to understand the two cultures and their differences. This will give you more confidence as you gain experience and are better able to cope with new things.
- “Independence” stage: Finally, most students come to value the differences between the two cultures - they are aware of the differences and choose to enjoy the best bits!
The above stages of adjustment are represented by a W-curve in the figure
below.
Adapted from “Orientated for Success”, edited by M Barker,
Australian International Development Assistance Bureau, 1990.
How can I deal with culture shock?
- Understand that culture shock is normal - a step in the process of adapting to your new environment
- Keep in touch with home
- Have familiar things around you
- Cook some familiar food, eat healthily and take exercise
- Make friends with other international students who are also likely to experience culture shock. Talk to your personal tutor, the International Student Adviser, or anyone who will listen uncritically and with understanding
- You may like to link with a faith community
- Join some of the societies in the Students' Union. There may be an opportunity to learn a new sport or activity or continue an interest from home. It is an ideal opportunity to meet students from different courses and countries
- Remember that people in the UK may not know as much about cultural differences as you do. Tell people about your home and your way of living!
Social behaviour and customs in the UK
British people can be very warm and friendly; if you start a conversation you will usually find that people are happy to speak to you.
However, friendliness does not necessarily mean that someone is expecting a personal friendship to develop. Be aware that friendships may take longer to develop here than at home.
Relationships
- It is often accepted that people who are involved in a relationship may have sex together. Of course, the choice is a personal one.
- You are entirely free to live according to your own personal standards and should not feel pressured to adopt those of other students.
- The legal age at which you can get married in the UK is 16 with parental consent, and 18 without. However, many people get married much later than this.
Socialising
- Pubs (Public Houses) are one place where British people often go to meet, relax and socialise, as well as have an alcoholic or non-alcoholic drink.
- There is no pressure to drink alcohol in the UK and you can have non-alcoholic drinks.
- The legal age at which you can buy alcohol in the UK is 18 and over.
- Popular British drinks include tea, beer, cider and ales.
- Smoking is prohibited in pubs and restaurants, in public buildings and on all trains and buses.
- The legal age to smoke or to purchase tobacco in the UK is 18.
- In restaurants it is common to leave a tip when you pay if service is not included. The standard tip value is 10% of the total bill.
- Giving a tip is acceptable in restaurants but not in pubs or cafes.
Voting
- The legal age to vote in the UK is 18.
Greetings
- People shake hands when introduced for the first time, or at formal occasions. Handshakes are not aggressive and either the left or right hand can be used.
- British people tend not to greet with a kiss or hug except with relatives or close friends.
- British people tend to call young people and friends by their first names, otherwise 'Mr' or 'Mrs' (or other title such as 'Dr') followed by the person's family name (until you are told to use the first name). To address a Universtiy professor, listen to how they introduce themselves and then call them by this (for example some professors use their titles, some use their first names).
Visiting
- A genuine invitation to someone's home will include mention of a specific date and time.
- British people tend to telephone, send a text message or email before visiting each other at home, in respect of people's privacy and personal space.
What do they really mean?
- The British often have difficulty saying what they really mean, for example saying 'no' or making a critical comment, for fear of causing offence or upset.
- If you are usually open and direct in your opinions you may not understand what British people really mean.
- If you are in any doubt, ask.
- The British sense of humour can be ironic and confusing. As you get to know someone better and spend more time with British people, you will begin to understand what people really mean. If you are in any doubt, ask!
Arrive on time
- In the workplace and in academic life time-keeping is important.
- You should always be on time for lectures, classes and meetings with staff.
- If you are going to be late for an appointment with someone, let them know.
In public
- Stand in the queue, queue jumping is considered bad manners.
- Words you will hear very often are ‘excuse me’, ‘please’, ‘thank you’ and ‘sorry’.
- Hold the door open for others if you go through first.
- Privacy is very important for British people. It is considered impolite to stare at others in public or ask personal or intimate questions, for example how old they are or how much money they earn.
Men and women
- Men and women in the UK are entitled to equal respect and status in all areas of life.
- Relationships between men and women may be more formal or less formal than you are used to, and there may be differences in social relationships between people of the same gender.
Making friends
- Making friends with other international students is very easy, especially at events organised by the International Office during the first weekend, Orientation and Freshers' Week.
- It is also important to make friend with UK students, we suggest the
following:
- Join the Link Mentor Programme
- Join trips and events organised by the International Student Advice Team and Students' Union
- Join societies and clubs run by the Students' Union or become a member of a club or society in Bath to meet local people
- Get involved in voluntary work through the Volunteering Centre in the Students' Union
- Have confidence and take the first step - invite a British student to join you for a meal or a social event.
- There are many established international groups and societies here at the University of Bath including the Global Group. The Global Group is for everyone - it is free to join and organises lots of events aiming to promote the integration between international and British students. The highlight of their calendar is the Global Evening in Spring
- For a full list of all societies check the Societies home page.
British slang, mini glossary
Here is a mini-list of some slang words and phrases, how many have you heard so far?
Be careful when you use slang as in some situations it can be inappropriate. Slang is very informal and colloquial. For example, it is generally used amongst people who know each other well, and can vary amongst different age groups.
Slang |
What it means |
All right? |
"Hello, how are you"? You would say this to someone you knew (not to a complete stranger) |
Bad hair day |
A problematic and difficult day e.g. 'I am having a bad hair day'. |
Bite your arm off |
Means that someone is over excited to get something e.g. 'he would bite your arm off to get that job'. |
Brolly |
Umbrella |
Bruv |
A term of address, usually for a friend (brother) |
| Cheers | Thanks |
Chill-out |
To relax |
Give us a bell |
Call me |
Grab a bite |
Have some food |
Grand |
Adj. Excellent, lovely. {Informal} |
Grub |
Noun Food |
Gutted |
Adj. Really upset |
Hiya |
Hi there a friendly way of saying hello. |
I'm easy |
I don't care or it's all the same to me. |
Jab |
Noun a vaccination |
Knackered |
Adj. Tired, worn out, exhausted (!not to be used in formal situations!) |
Mate |
Noun friend |
Not my cup of tea |
means something is not to my liking |
On about |
What are you on about? means what are you talking about? |
Out of order |
Adj. Of a person or their behaviour: unfair,
unacceptable, or wrong. |
Piece of cake |
Something that can be done or achieved easily with very little effort |
Pretty |
Adj. Quite - "pretty good" would mean quite good. |
| Quid | One pound (money) |
Ring me |
Call me |
See you later |
Goodbye {Informal}. Said even if you will not see them later |
Ta! |
Thank you! {Informal} |
Take it easy / Take care |
1. Goodbye, a parting salutation. |
Uni |
University |
Waffle |
To talk on and on about nothing |
Way-out |
Adj. Unusual, unconventional |
| Wicked | Excellent |
Zapper |
Noun A TV remote control unit |
24/7 |
Noun All the time. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. |
What is your view of British Culture? Have you observed how British people behave?
Is it this?...
- How do people greet each other?
- What do people talk about when they don’t know each other very well?
- How far apart do people stand?
- Do they remain separate or move about in groups?
- How often do they touch each other and when?
- Are they ‘quiet’ or ‘loud’?
- If they were not happy with a meal in a restaurant, how would they react?